Many children are happy to show their friends what they got for Christmas. But that is not the theme of the Davidsson family in Ålesund on Christmas Day.
Mother of three Iris Egertsdottir does not want her boys to visit friends on 25 December.
Iris Frida Escobar Eggertsdottir herself was used to the fact that Christmas Day was home day in Iceland. Now she has moved to Ålesund, but sticks to the tradition.
Photo: Remi Sagen / NRK
– No, then we’ll be hereime and take it easy and look at the Christmas presents. It is a tradition, she says.
She thinks that the day is very special, and that it belongs to the family.
This means that she and her husband, the boys and grandma will be at home in the Christmas-decorated house, enjoying themselves, eating good food and playing games.
She receives support from the father of two, Michael Rinde. He also does not want the children to visit others without a special agreement on 25 December.
– No, I think it is common, normal folk custom.
Michael Rinde and Evy Karina Nykrem Røyset want the family to be together at home on Christmas Day.
Photo: Øyvind Sandnes / NRK
He believes that there is so much stress in everyday life, that it is good to have a day for just the closest family. This is how both he and his wife grew up, and they think it is good to pass on the tradition to their own children.
Would like the kids to visit
But not all parents of young children agree.
Mother of two Danielle Langedal thinks it is completely unnecessary to have different rules for Christmas Day than usual – and would like her little boys to be able to visit veins when they are old enough to do so.
Danielle Langedal thinks it’s nice if Elion (3) can eventually meet her friends on Christmas Day. For now, he is too small to walk alone.
Photo: Øyvind Sandnes / NRK
– I see no problem with that. I think it’s just nice that they can spend some time together at Christmas.
She also emphasizes that friends can be as close as family, and sees no reason to close the door to visitors on Christmas Day.
Lars Fjørtoft can relate to that. He grew up in Tromsø in the 40s. There it was strictly forbidden to go outside on Christmas Day. He sees no point in passing that on to new generations.
Lars Fjørtoft remembers that it was difficult for a small boy not to be able to go out on Christmas Day in Tromsø.
Photo: Øyvind Sandnes / NRK
– There are no rules, everything is free. They are allowed to go where they want, he laughs.
Is it okay for the kids to visit others on Christmas Day?
Yes, what’s the problem? No, it’s a day just for the family I don’t care, can’t people just do what they want?
Show result
Has changed in recent years
It was unthinkable in the past. Then you could get the insulting word “Christmas Day woodpecker” thrown at you if you were out on Christmas Day.
– The only place you were allowed to go was to the church, otherwise you weren’t supposed to visit anyone, says associate professor of cultural history, Herleik Baklid at the University of Southeast Norway.
He says the rules for Christmas Day have changed significantly in the last ten years. In several places, 25 December has become a big cinema day, many also start the Christmas parties out in the city. Baklid believes the reason may be that the center of gravity of the Christmas celebration has moved earlier in December. He also does not overlook the fact that the idea of inclusion has caused many to move away from the tradition of staying at home on 25 December.
1st assistant professor in cultural history Herleik Baklid.
Photo: Rune Romnes
High time in the gaming chairs
No matter what tradition the family follows, there is one place where many children and young people meet on Christmas Day: on the internet. Via the computers, children and young people find each other for Christmas tournaments, wake nights and lans.
This is also how it is at home with Iris Egertsdottir and the three boys.
– The elder boy will probably be allowed to play in the evening, but daytime is family time, says the mother firmly.
CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS: Brothers Adrian Ymir (4), Matthias Freyr (10) and Sebastian Snær (2) celebrate Christmas in Ålesund.
Photo: Remi Sagen / NRK
2023-12-25 08:10:21
#Christmas #Day #Matthias #Freyr #Davidsson #allowed #visit #celebrates #home #family
